Help! G vs F size/clarity trade off

[Traylor]

Help! I''m getting ready to make my first diamaond engagement ring purchase and am feeling conflicted about which stone to get.

The first which I think will be great is a 1.06 carat, G color, eye-clean S1.

For about $580 more I could get a .903 carat, F color, VS1.

Both are H&A ACA cuts, so that factor should be equal.

I really want to know that I''m giving my girlfriend the best diamond I can afford. She is not the high maintenance type, so I''m sure she will be happy either way. Other women who I''ve asked for advice have said that bigger is not always better and that I should be mindful of color/clarity standards. However, I''ve also gotten the impression from reading many threads on this forum that if there was one thing many women would do differently with their rings, it would be to trade up to a larger diamond of perhaps a slightly lower color grade.

Seeking input on whether the drop in carat points is worth it here for the small additional cost.

Thanks!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/4/2009 11:52:09 AM
Author:Traylor
Help! I''m getting ready to make my first diamaond engagement ring purchase and am feeling conflicted about which stone to get.

The first which I think will be great is a 1.06 carat, G color, eye-clean S1.

For about $580 more I could get a .903 carat, F color, VS1.

Both are H&A ACA cuts, so that factor should be equal.

I really want to know that I''m giving my girlfriend the best diamond I can afford. She is not the high maintenance type, so I''m sure she will be happy either way. Other women who I''ve asked for advice have said that bigger is not always better and that I should be mindful of color/clarity standards. However, I''ve also gotten the impression from reading many threads on this forum that if there was one thing many women would do differently with their rings, it would be to trade up to a larger diamond of perhaps a slightly lower color grade.

Seeking input on whether the drop in carat points is worth it here for the small additional cost.

Thanks!

I think you will find a popular choice would be the G SI combo ACA if the diamond has been verified eyeclean. I don''t think you would notice any difference between F and G colour also. So G SI and larger gets my vote!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/4/2009 11:54:09 AM
Author: Lorelei

I think you will find a popular choice would be the G SI combo ACA if the diamond has been verified eyeclean. I don''t think you would notice any difference between F and G colour also. So G SI and larger gets my vote!

Ditto. And in a well cut stone, such as the ACA, you could easily go to H, and get even bigger.

Have you seen this video on color? Very revealing!

http://vimeo.com/3288695

 

[eternallyhis]

I think if the 1 carat is eye-clean, go with that for sure! I have a 1.23 VS1 G and it is icy white... I don''t think you or your girlfriend would appreciate the F color any more than the G, except maybe on paper. Go with the bigger stone!

 

[vespergirl]

Definitely get the bigger G.

 

[geckodani]

Yup - go for the larger G.

 

[Lulie]

Def the larger G not much of a color difference imo

 

[Traylor]

Thank you all for your input!

'');" alt="Insert smilie

" src="http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/19.gif" border="0"> I feel much better with the larger G now.

The video on diamond color was great. I''ll definitely take a look at more on vimeo.com to learn more. It has been really fun and fascinating learning about diamonds over the last two weeks. I''ve spent several hours each night reading or visiting jewelers. I can see how this can become a life-long hobbie, occupation, etc.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/4/2009 6:07:47 PM
Author: Traylor
Thank you all for your input!

');' alt='Insert smilie

' src="http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/19.gif" border=0> I feel much better with the larger G now.

The video on diamond color was great. I'll definitely take a look at more on vimeo.com to learn more. It has been really fun and fascinating learning about diamonds over the last two weeks. I've spent several hours each night reading or visiting jewelers. I can see how this can become a life-long hobbie, occupation, etc.

Traylor, that's actually just a site to host videos. However, I will give you the link to Goodoldgold's video page, that's who made that video.

http://goodoldgold.com/Diamond_Videos/

And you're welcome!

 

[swingirl]

The G gets my vote. It''s nice to say your stone is "a carat". The ACAs will be gorgeous no matter which one so I''d go bigger and the G is still in the nearly colorless category.

 

[Indira-London]

Good advise from all the previous posters and extremely useful video from GOG.

From a vendor experience perspective: no one has ever come to back to say that a F or G or H colour well-cut round brilliant diamond is too low in colour and they want a better colour diamond. However, quiet a few people do seek upgrades later in life especially from 0.7-0.9 carat...ironically, less people who but just over a carat seem to seek upgrades. One recent client who was initially adamant re. colour upgraded from 0.72 E VS1 to 1.74 carat H SI1 round brilliant, the upgrade was after several years of marriage and on the birth of their first child though.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/5/2009 3:39:04 AM
Author: Indira-London
Good advise from all the previous posters and extremely useful video from GOG.

From a vendor experience perspective: no one has ever come to back to say that a F or G or H colour well-cut round brilliant diamond is too low in colour and they want a better colour diamond. However, quiet a few people do seek upgrades later in life especially from 0.7-0.9 carat...ironically, less people who but just over a carat seem to seek upgrades. One recent client who was initially adamant re. colour upgraded from 0.72 E VS1 to 1.74 carat H SI1 round brilliant, the upgrade was after several years of marriage and on the birth of their first child though.

Thank you! Isn''t that video great??


And funny about this customer. Size is a lot easier to see than color.

 

[Traylor]

I feel great about getting the larger G now and can''t wait to see it. My girlfriend has a really small hand with only a 4.25 ring size. I picked the following "Legato" sleek line ring from WF. I hope it will look great and be a sturdy setting. Very excited. It feels so good to be done.

Thanks again all!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

For an ER, higher clarity and color all the way.

cheers--Sharon

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/5/2009 11:03:21 AM
Author: Traylor
I feel great about getting the larger G now and can''t wait to see it. My girlfriend has a really small hand with only a 4.25 ring size. I picked the following ''Legato'' sleek line ring from WF. I hope it will look great and be a sturdy setting. Very excited. It feels so good to be done.

Thanks again all!

Congrats!!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/5/2009 11:03:21 AM
Author: Traylor
I feel great about getting the larger G now and can''t wait to see it. My girlfriend has a really small hand with only a 4.25 ring size. I picked the following ''Legato'' sleek line ring from WF. I hope it will look great and be a sturdy setting. Very excited. It feels so good to be done.

Thanks again all!

Oh, I love that setting. It''s going to be stunning!

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 3/5/2009 11:03:21 AM
Author: Traylor
I feel great about getting the larger G now and can''t wait to see it. My girlfriend has a really small hand with only a 4.25 ring size. I picked the following ''Legato'' sleek line ring from WF. I hope it will look great and be a sturdy setting. Very excited. It feels so good to be done.

Thanks again all!

Ditto the others, definitely go with the G/SI! I have a 1.1 sized stone and a 4.25 finger and I love the size on my hand, so your gf''s ring will look quite similar. It''s a great size that looks substantial without being overly large. She is going to love it!!!

 

[Traylor]

Thanks again for the feedback and good wishes. The diamond was simply stunning. And I''m now a happily engaged guy.

I''m glad I went with G S1 ACA RBC. On my fiancee''s hand under different colored lights, your eye is immediately drawn to it. Lots of fun to look at under a loupe and with the H&A viewer too.

She is still unsure of exactly what setting she wants, and her finger size is in flux a bit due to some pregnancy-related swelling, so she will be choosing a permanent setting later this year.

 

[Kelli]

Congrats! Glad you love the diamond!

 

[Lorelei]

Many congrats on your purchase and engagement!!

 

[swingirl]

Glad you are happy with your stone. Congratulations on your engagement!

 

[aveda6]

Congratulations on the engagement! Any pictures yet?

 

[Traylor]

Sorry for not posting a pic sooner. Here is the beautiful ring and diamond I purchased. Thanks for all the good wishes.

 

[Lorelei]

Looks gorgeous!!!

 

[mrscushion]

It''s beautiful! Congratulations on your engagement and what sounds like a baby to come soon!!!

 

[tyty333]

Love it, love it

! You got a beautiful ring there!

 

[kcoursolle]

OOoooh, it turned out beautifully!!! I think you made a great decision with the G/SI and the setting is stunning! She must be thrilled, congratulations!